U.S. patent application number 11/186347 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for vehicle seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG. Invention is credited to Simone Koehler.
Application Number | 20060038432 11/186347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35721293 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060038432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koehler; Simone |
February 23, 2006 |
Vehicle seat
Abstract
The vehicle seat has a supporting element in the form of a seat
and/or back section with a padded core 2 in at least one piece for
supporting a seat user, with a cover 9 that at least partially
conceals the padded core 2, and with an anchoring channel on which
the surface of the supporting element features an elongated
depression 17. Provision is made for an anchoring device 21, 22, 24
which draws in the cover 9 at least indirectly along the anchoring
channel in the direction of the seat core 2 into the supporting
element. Between the cover 9 and the seat core 2 provision is made
for a ventilation layer 55 through which air can flow that is
curved to the contour of the depression 17 of the anchoring
channel, at least partially following it, such that the ventilation
layer 55 in the area of the anchoring channel essentially retains
its layer thickness (d) in spite of the depression 17 in the
surface.
Inventors: |
Koehler; Simone;
(Ostfildern, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOBRUSIN & THENNISCH PC
29 W LAWRENCE ST
SUITE 210
PONTIAC
MI
48342
US
|
Assignee: |
W.E.T. Automotive Systems
AG
|
Family ID: |
35721293 |
Appl. No.: |
11/186347 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/180.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/5825 20130101;
B60N 2/5635 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/180.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/72 20060101
A47C007/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 11, 2004 |
DE |
DE102004039058.4 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat comprising: a supporting element in the form of a
seat or back section; a padded core in at least one piece for
supporting a seat user; a cover that at least partially conceals
the padded core; an anchoring channel in the form of an elongated
depression on a surface of the supporting element, with an
anchoring device which draws in the cover at least indirectly along
the anchoring channel in the direction of the seat core into the
supporting element; and a ventilation layer which is placed between
the cover and the seat core and through which air can flow, wherein
the ventilation layer is curved to the contour of the depression of
the anchoring channel, at least partially following the anchoring
channel, and the ventilation layer in the area of the anchoring
channel essentially retains its layer thickness (d) when stress is
exerted on the ventilation layer by a seat user.
2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the hollow space of the
ventilation device through which air can flow has an overall height
of a maximum of 20 mm vertical to the surface of the supporting
element turned towards the seat user.
3. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the hollow space has an
overall height of a maximum of 10 mm.
4. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation layer has
an overall height of a maximum of 20 mm.
5. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation layer is
at least partially concealed towards the user by an air-permeable
first surface layer including a single or multi-layered cover, a
layer-like carrier or a surface heating element placed between the
cover and the ventilation layer.
6. The seat according to claim 5, wherein the ventilation layer is
at leat partially concealed towards the the padded core by a
non-air-permeable second surface layer.
7. The seat according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation layer
includes one or more spacers which separate the cover and the
padded core from one another and which are placed on the first
surface layer, the carrier, the second surface layer or the padded
core.
8. The seat according to claim 5, wherein at least one spacer is at
least pointed in shape, by means of one or several projections of a
layer adjoining the ventilation layer, by means of strips of fabric
in sections and spaced apart from one another in the ventilation
layer, by means of tubular elements which have an approximately
rectangular cross section and walls with air flow openings, or by
means of helices or spirals made of flat material, which have helix
threads spaced apart from one another to facilitate the passage of
air at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the helix, and
which are flattened out in order to arrange the helices with their
flattened-out area on the carrier.
9. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the padded core in the
area of the anchoring channel has an elongated depression that the
depression is covered over by the cover or the first surface layer,
that provision is also made in the area of the anchoring channel
for the ventilation layer at least partially between cover or
surface layer and the padded core, that the cover or the surface
layer is drawn from the anchoring device towards the bottom of the
depression, and that at the bottom of the recess or on its lateral
areas, at least one spacer is placed.
10. The seat according to claim 9, wherein between the bottom of
the depression, the cover or the surface layer and the anchoring
device a hollow space remains, the overall height of which
corresponds at least to the height of the ventilation layer through
which air can flow.
11. The seat according to claim, 10 wherein at least one spacer is
elongated, that air can flow through it lengthways and at right
angles to its longitudinal axis or that it is placed lengthways to
the depression.
12. The seat according to claim 1 further comprising an
air-conditioning device.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] 1The present application claims priority from German
Application No. DE102004039058.4 filed Aug. 11, 2004, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention concerns a ventilated vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vehicle seats are known with a seat and/or back section that
features a supporting element to which a padded core is allocated
on the seat and back sections. Usually, a supporting mat featuring
a ventilation layer on the side turned towards the padded core is
placed on the padded core. Moreover, in the padded core, provision
is made for air ducts and one or several fans for feeding and
conveying air through the supporting mat. The air fed through the
air ducts flows through the ventilation layer of the supporting
mat, as a result of which the moisture generated by the seat user
is absorbed by the air-permeable surface of the supporting mat and
conveyed out. Alternatively, the air can be heated or cooled to a
given temperature to guarantee a pleasant temperature for the seat
user.
[0004] The ventilation layer frequently consists of an
air-permeable spacer fabric (EP 1 364 827 A2) covered with an
upholstery cover and provided with tackings, along which the
upholstery cover is connected with the padded core via fastenings.
The ventilation layer extends over the entire surface of the
supporting element and, in the area of the tackings, has a roughly
unaltered thickness, so that a current of air generated by the fan
within the ventilation layer can flow without hindrance in the area
of the tackings.
[0005] From DE 101 28 415 an air-conditioned seat is known in which
provision is made for a ventilated layer (e.g. made of spacer
fabric or rubberized hair) for distributing air within a seat pad.
In the case of vehicle seats, however, for design reasons parts of
the seat pad are segmented by anchoring channels in their surface.
Where such anchoring channels are concerned, the seat cover is
pulled along the anchoring channel in the direction of the interior
of the seat pad. This leads to the ventilated layer either having
to be made very thick or the depth of the anchoring channels being
severely restricted (as for example in DE 102 07 490).
[0006] This is because, otherwise, parts of the seat pad would no
longer be accessible to ventilation when the ventilated layer is
constricted by an anchoring channel.
[0007] From DE 100 37 065 it can be seen how to provide each area
separated by anchoring channels with its own fan for supplying a
ventilated layer. However, this increases the costs of the
seat.
[0008] From EP 1 050 429 it can be seen how to position a fan under
an anchoring channel in such a way that the air conveyed by the fan
is fed evenly into both areas of a ventilated layer separated by an
anchoring channel as soon as it enters the ventilated layer.
However, this severely restricts the freedom of design and places
stress on the fan.
[0009] From DE 101 56 658 it is known how to inlay an additional
strip of material under a ventilated layer compressed in a tacking
area in order to create a bypass for the air in the form of
tunneling in the area of the tacking channel. However, this
involves substantial work. Moreover, the flow resistance in this
area rises very considerably, as the air is not only diverted but
has to cross over twice from one material layer to another.
[0010] From DE 199 41 715 it is known how to provide right from the
outset, in the entire base of the seat pad, a ventilated layer and
a non-compressible bypass layer. This certainly simplifies
assembly, but the whole structure remains very big, cannot be used
on foamed seat cores and from a flow resistance viewpoint is not
ideal.
[0011] From DE 100 49 458 it is known how to move the ventilated
layer distanced from the seat surface further into the pad
interior. In this way the ventilated layer is no longer compressed
by the anchoring devices on the surface. The flow cross section of
the ventilated layer is therefore also preserved in the anchoring
area. Abandoning the arrangement where the ventilated layer is near
the surface, however, has disadvantages both in terms of flow
resistance and in terms of combined assembly with other systems,
e.g. fitting seat heaters. Furthermore, this arrangement intrudes
substantially into the overall structure and statics of the seat
pad.
[0012] The task underlying the invention is to create, using simple
means of construction, a seat whose air-permeable supporting mat
can be installed with little effort and has optimum characteristics
in terms of air flow and appearance.
[0013] This task is solved by a seat and an air-conditioning device
with the features described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The vehicle seat described in the invention features the
following elements: a supporting element in the form of seat or
back section, a padded core in at least one piece for supporting a
seat user, a cover that at least partially conceals the padded
core, with an anchoring channel on which the surface of the
supporting element features a longitudinal depression, with an
anchoring device which pulls the cover in at least indirectly along
the anchoring channel in the direction of the seat core into the
supporting element, and a ventilation layer which is placed between
the cover and the seat core and through which air can flow. The
ventilation layer is curved to the contour of the depression of the
anchoring channel, at least partially following it and, in the area
of the anchoring channel, essentially retains its layer thickness
in spite of the depression in the surface. The ventilation layer
and the cover are designed in the form of a supporting mat placed
on the padded core such that it has an air-permeable carrier on the
side turned towards the padded core. On the side turned towards the
padded core spacers are placed, with at least two spacers being
placed in the depression provided on the padded core opposite each
other at a distance and taking up the accompanying remaining part
of the supporting mat folded into the depression. Because of this a
single supporting mat can be produced for several areas of the
supporting element separated from one another by elongated
depressions. Consequently, fewer individual parts are required to
manufacture the vehicle seat described in the invention, thus
achieving a reduction in production costs and simplified assembly.
Moreover, folding the remaining part of the supporting mat into the
depression of the padded core makes it possible to achieve a
visually attractive design of the transition point between two
areas of the supporting element separated from one another by the
elongated depression.
[0015] In one particularly advantageous form of the vehicle seat
design, provision is made between the spacers placed in the
depression for an anchoring device that connects the remaining part
of the supporting mat folded into the depression with the padded
core. This connection is advantageously achieved with the aid of a
hitching device element that is connected on the one hand with the
supporting mat and on the other with the padded core.
[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the ventilation layer is
at least partially covered, on the one hand towards the user by an
air-permeable first surface layer which preferably includes the
single or multiple-layer cover, a preferably layer-like carrier
and/or a surface heating element placed between the cover and the
ventilation layer, and/or on the other towards the padded core by a
preferably non air-tight second surface layer.
[0017] In this way a ventilation layer can be produced in which one
or several, preferably a multitude of spacers are placed which, at
least indirectly, distance the cover and the padded core from one
another and which are preferably placed - specifically fastened -
on the first surface layer, in particular the carrier, the second
surface layer and/or the padded core.
[0018] In addition, it is possible that the padded core in the area
of the anchoring channel has an elongated depression--preferably
one corresponding with the anchoring channel--where the depression
is covered over by the cover and/or the first surface layer and
where, also in the area of the anchoring channel, provision is made
for the ventilation layer at least partially between cover/surface
layer and the padded core. In this type of construction, the
cover/the surface layer is drawn from the anchoring device towards
the bottom of the depression where, at the bottom of the recess--in
particular at its lowest point--and/or on its lateral areas,
preferably those inclined opposite the seat surface--at least one
spacer is placed.
[0019] In a further vehicle seat design type, between the bottom of
the depression, the cover/the surface layer and the anchoring
device there remains a hollow space, the overall height of
which--preferably specifically at the lowest point of the
cover--corresponds at least to the height of the ventilation layer
through which air can flow. Due to the low flow resistance this
causes, the passage of air is not adversely affected by the
depression or the channel.
[0020] In one type of design, the spacers forming the ventilation
layer of the supporting mat are formed by several projections
fitted to the carrier. The projections, spaced apart from one
another, form air ducts in the ventilation layer which, in
comparison with the textile fabric, exhibit a lower flow resistance
for the air. In this way at least one spacer is at least pointed -
but preferably elongated - in shape, preferably by means of one or
several projections of a layer adjoining the ventilation layer, by
means of strips of fabric in sections and distanced from one
another in the ventilation layer, by means of tubular elements
which preferably have an approximately rectangular cross section
and walls with air flow openings, and/or by means of
helices/spirals preferably made of flat material, which preferably
have helix threads distanced from one another to facilitate the
passage of air at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the
helix, and which are preferably flattened out in order to arrange
the helices with their flattened-out area on the carrier.
[0021] It is advantageous to give at least one spacer an elongated
shape, so that air can flow through it lengthways and at right
angles to its longitudinal axis and/or so that it is placed
lengthways to the depression.
[0022] It is further possible to design the spacers as tubular
elements that have an essentially rectangular cross section and
whose walls can have air conduction openings. Tubular elements
spaced out next to each other result in extreme stiffness of the
seat surface in one direction accompanied by a large degree of
freedom of movement in a direction vertical to it.
[0023] Spacers shaped as tapes laid in helices, where the threads
of the helices are placed at a distance for the passage of air,
offer a high level of comfort in the vehicle seat described in the
invention. This type of design is especially advantageous in the
design of a soft seat surface in which the air conduction
properties of the ventilation layer of the supporting mat are not
affected. Particular preference is given here to flat helices, the
flat side of which is fitted outside the depression on the carrier
such that outside the depression the flat helices lie on the
surface of the padded core, whereas the helices placed in the
depression are turned around their longitudinal axis by
approximately 90.degree. in relation to the helices placed outside
the depression.
[0024] As a result, an especially low air flow resistance can be
attained for the air flowing through the depression.
[0025] To increase the comfort features of the vehicle seat it is
advantageous to lay an air-permeable cover on the carrier.
[0026] To increase seat comfort further, it is advantageous for the
supporting element to have a central area and at least one
side-wall area, where the depression can be placed between the
central area and the respective side area of the supporting
element. The vehicle seat design described in the invention makes
it possible to manufacture the transition area between the central
area and the respective side-wall area in a visually attractive
way, such that the fastening device remains invisible to the seat
user through the remaining folded part of the supporting mat.
[0027] A fan can be used as an air-conduction unit.
[0028] What is characteristic of the present invention is the
extremely low resistance for the air flow through the spacers,
since their helical structure allows the air to flow in any
direction without hindrance, as a result of which no significant
pressure gradients can develop within the ventilation layer formed
by the spacers. The spacers shaped as projections fitted onto the
carrier give the same result. The spacers can also be formed by
fabrics arranged in sections on the carrier if they have a
sufficient flow cross section for the passage of air.
[0029] The hollow space of the ventilation device through which air
can flow--preferably the ventilation layer itself--has an overall
height of a maximum of 20 mm, preferably a maximum of 10 mm,
vertical to the surface of the supporting element turned towards
the seat user.
[0030] A further increase in seating comfort can be achieved by the
ventilation layer being bendable when stress is exerted on it by a
user and preferably retaining its layer thickness unaltered in the
process.
[0031] The spacer design types described will preferably be
manufactured from a synthetic glass fiber composite material.
[0032] The characteristics of the vehicle seat outlined above are
realized in an air-conditioning device for a vehicle seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] With the aid of drawings, sample designs of the invention
are explained in more detail.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a vehicle seat
with a seat section and a back section in partial section,
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, perspective view of a supporting
element with a supporting mat removed, and
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view along the line I-I
through the supporting element of FIG. 2, where the border areas of
the padded core have been left out.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat with a seat section 30 and a
back section 31. The seat section 30 features a padded core. An
equivalent padded core can also be allocated to the back section 31
(not shown). This padded core of the back section has the same
characteristics as described below for the padded core of the seat
section 30. The part of the seat section 30 shown in FIG. 1 is
subdivided by two parallel fold lines 35, 36 into three
sub-sections, namely a centrally-placed seat area 40 and a
side-wall area 34. In the middle of the seat area 40 a fold line 36
runs parallel to the fold line 35.
[0038] The back section 31 is likewise divided into two areas by a
parallel fold line 35, namely a central area 41 and a side-wall
area 37 placed at the side.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows the padded core 2 with a supporting mat 7
lifted against the direction of the arrows with the bent shaft
where, for purposes of simplification, the area of the padded core
2 assigned to the fold lines 35 and the side-wall area 34 is not
shown. In the example the padded core 2 consists of foam
material.
[0040] In the padded core 2, provision is made for a rectangular
cavity 3 that corresponds to the shape of the air-permeable
supporting mat 7. Placed in the central area of the cavity 3 is an
elongated depression 17 extending to the entire length of the
cavity, the side walls of which essentially run parallel to each
other. In addition, on the bottom of the cavity 3, provision is
made for an air inlet 8 through which air is supplied from a fan 1
to the supporting mat 7.
[0041] The air-permeable supporting mat 7 features on its side
turned towards the padded core 2 an air-permeable carrier 5 made of
a web-shaped material. The carrier 5 features on its side turned
towards the padded core 2 a ventilation layer 55 that is formed of
several spacers 4 placed next to one another in the form of tapes
laid in flat helices, where the flat sides of the spacers 4 are
fitted on the carrier 5. The gap between the threads of the flat
helices is calculated in such a way that sufficient space is
available between the individual tapes for the passage of air. The
longitudinal alignment of the flat helices 4 placed parallel to one
another corresponds with the course of the depression 17. When the
supporting mat 7 is folded up in the direction of the arrows 14 and
inserted with its folded part into the depression 17, two of the
flat helices 4, forming an angle of approximately 90.degree. to the
remaining flat helices 4, are located opposite each other at a
distance in the depression 17 and pick up the accompanying part of
the supporting mat 7 folded into the depression 17 between
themselves.
[0042] In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the spacers 4 are
tubular components that have a rectangular cross section and walls
with air conduction openings 23. The supporting mat 7 is located in
the cavity 3 of the padded core 2. The hollow spacers 4 in the form
of tubular elements placed outside the depression 17 lie with their
flat sides on the carrier 5 and on the padded core 2, so that the
ventilation layer 55 has a layer thickness d. The spacers 4 are
manufactured from a flexible synthetic glass fiber material, as a
result of which, when stress is exerted on the ventilation layer 55
by a user, it is bendable and retains its layer thickness d
essentially unaltered in the process. Located in the area of an air
conduction channel 11 and the fan 1 are the spacers 4 with one side
on a grid 10, the meshes of which are smaller than the supporting
surface of a spacer 4. The air currents from the fan 1 to the seat
side of the supporting mat 7 are shown schematically by arrows
12.
[0043] The spacers 4 placed in the depression 17 are turned on
their longitudinal axis by approximately 90.degree., so that their
sides lying on the carrier 5 are turned towards each other. In this
way the accompanying remaining part of the supporting mat 7 folded
into the depression 17 is taken up between the two spacers 4 placed
opposite each other at a distance. Such an arrangement of the
spacers 4 and the supporting mat 7 in the depression 17 permits an
air flow at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the depression
17, as the supporting mat 7 is air-permeable in itself and the
tubular elements 4 are spaced apart from each other for the passage
of air. To reduce the air flow resistance, provision is made
between the bottom of the trench-shaped depression 17 and the
remaining part of the supporting mat 7 folded into the
trench-shaped depression 17 for an open space 19 for the flow of
air.
[0044] The supporting mat 7 shown in FIG. 3 has an air-permeable
cover 9 that consists of a textile layer. A flexible, air-permeable
surface heating element 6 for regulating vehicle seat temperature
is placed between the carrier 5 and the cover 9.
[0045] Between the spacers 4 in the form of tubular elements placed
in the depression 17, provision is made as set out in FIG. 3 for an
anchoring device that connects the remaining part of the supporting
mat 7 folded into the depression 17 with the padded core 2. The
anchoring device has a hitching device element 21, one side of
which engages with a fastening component 22 of the padded core 2
and the other side of which engages with a rod-shaped fastening
component 24 placed on the cover 9. The length of the fastening
components 22, 23 corresponds to the length of the depression
17.
[0046] In the supporting mat 7, as shown in FIG. 2, openings 13 are
provided, the size of which corresponds to the width of the
hitching device element 21. When the supporting mat 7 is fastened
in this way in the depression 17, the rod-shaped fastening
component 24 remains invisible to the vehicle seat user as it is
concealed in the remaining folded section of the supporting mat 7.
Instead of the rod-shaped element 24, correspondingly small-sized
bracket-like elements could also be used.
[0047] The spacers 4 of the ventilation layer 55 can be connected
to one another with their side turned towards the padded core 2 by
a second surface layer (not shown). The second surface layer can be
both air-permeable and air-tight where, in the case of an air-tight
second surface layer, the latter has an opening in the area of the
grid 10 so that the air currents 12 from the fan 1 can get into the
ventilation layer 55 without hindrance.
* * * * *